NEW DELHI: More than 16.5 cr Indians, including women and youth, have been sensitised against drug abuse under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the government informed the Parliament.
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) is the nodal department for drug demand reduction in the country.
To fight the growing concern of drug addiction, DoSJE in 2020 launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA).
From 272 districts identified as most vulnerable, the NMBA is now extended to all districts of the country, said Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment B.L. Verma, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
The national campaign against drugs aims to spread widespread awareness about substance use with a focus on higher educational institutions, university campuses, and schools.
“Till now, through the various activities undertaken on-ground, 16.5+ crore people have been sensitized on substance use, including 5.5+ crore youth and 3.43+ crore women, ” the Minister said.
“Participation of 4.47+ lakh educational institutions have ensured that the message of the Abhiyaan reaches children and youth of the country, ” he added.